If you’re not familiar with the perks of being a member of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), you might be asking yourself why join? We are not here to convince you to purchase DVC but rather inform you about what DVC is, what you get when you join, how it all works, where you get to stay and so forth.
Let’s first start with a little back story. It was August 2019 and we were climbing into a Disney shuttle to be personally taken to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park by one of the Disney cast members. My husband and I buckled our seat belt and looked at each other in shear panic. We just purchased points through Disney Vacation Club and now get to flash one of those fancy blue cards around the parks.
Now, we contemplated for years if we should join Disney Vacation Club. We questioned if it was worth it, and if we would use it as much as we thought we would? As the years went by we continued to go to Walt Disney World all the while still considering whether or not we should become DVC members.
If you’re like us and have thought for years about purchasing DVC but haven’t been able to pull the trigger for whatever reason then this post will help you decide what works best for you and your family.
Why did we become Disney Vacation Club members?
Disney has always held a special place in our hearts. One of our first trips together as a couple was to Walt Disney World. We celebrated our honeymoon there and we took Ella when she was barely a year old. That’s when it all changed. Taking your child for the first time shifts your entire perspective of what Disney magic truly is. To see your child’s face light up at the sight of seeing their favorite character for the first time leaves a mark on your heart that will remain there forever. From that moment on Disney became part of our lives.
As the years went by, our love for Disney grew as a family. Disney Vacation Club meant more than just years of Disney vacations, it meant years of memories and magical moments together.
What is Disney Vacation Club?
Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s vacation point-based timeshare program that allows Disney lovers like us to purchase an end-dated real estate interest at one of Walt Disney World’s deluxe resort locations or off site beach locations. Such off site locations include Aulani in Hawaii, Hilton Head in South Carolina, and Vero Beach in Southern Florida. Plus, thousands of other locations around the world.
Members are able to purchase a certain number of “vacation points” per year at a designated “home resort,” that best fits their families needs and wants. They are then able to use them annually to book stays at any of the Disney Vacation Club resorts.
Members can choose any room type and for any dates (availability permitting) depending on the number of points they have available. The best part is members get to choose when, where and how often they want to stay in one of Disney’s beautiful deluxe resorts.
Finally, when you purchase points you then get priority booking at your “Home Resort”-where you purchased your ownership interest. Read more about this below.
Where can you stay?
As a DVC member, when you purchase points you then get priority booking at your Home Resort-where you purchased your ownership interest. You are then able to book your home resort up to 11 months before your vacation.
Members can book at another Disney Vacation Club resort besides your “home” resort or one of the many other destinations available, up to 7 months prior to your trip.
You’re probably wondering what resorts are included. All Disney Vacation Club resorts have unique themes, outstanding service and amazing amenities—all of which add to the magic of your vacation. Here is a list of Disney resorts that you have the option to explore:
- Disney’s Aulani, Ko Olina, Hawai’i
- Bay Lake tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas— Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas—Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand California Hotel
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- The Villas at Disneyland Hotel
What amenities are included?
With all the resort options available there is sure to be a resort to suit your style—from the Northern woods to luxurious and relaxing beach vibes.
All of these resorts include beautiful swimming pools, spa facilities, dining experiences, sports and recreation, activities for children, as well as a touch of pixie dust.
The room accommodations go far beyond the average hotel room. There are studio, 1-,2-,and 3- bedroom villas—as well as treehouses, cabins and bungalows.
Each room includes spacious and cozy living rooms where you can relax after a long day of fun. There are fully-equipped kitchens that include a refrigerator, stove, oven and more. Allowing you to have groceries delivered and have “home” cooked meals or snacks.
Many of the larger villas include private bedrooms as well as a washer and dryer—so you can pack lighter and avoid some of those additional airline fees.
The Deluxe studio options are great for smaller families and/or trips. These rooms include a kitchenette, spacious living area perfect for a family of 4-5 guests. And not to worry they are just as beautiful.
Is DVC worth it compared to paying for Disney resorts directly?
Not only do DVC members get to stay in beautiful resorts, they also get access to many perks and discounts that can save you a good amount of money.
Members receive discounts on select dining, merchandise, tickets and tours. Other perks include use of a member lounge at Disney’s Epcot theme park as well as Top of the world lounge—A Villain’s lair atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary resort.
In these locations members are able enjoy things like complimentary soft drinks, Wi-Fi and charging stations, plus at Top of the World lounge members can enjoy villainous drinks and snacks while watching the fireworks from Magic Kingdom park.
Members also gain access to special cruises on Disney Cruise Line and free parking when staying at DVC resorts. Additionally, members can attend a special event called Moonlight Magic, which provides complimentary after-hours access to a Walt Disney World theme park and includes free snacks and soft drinks, unique character sightings and shorter wait times at rides.
All that being said, as a family that lives for creating memories together, Disney Vacation Club was the perfect fit for us. Purchasing DVC meant that we secured memories for years to come, while saving thousands of dollars on future trips. It also meant having the capability to stay in rare and uniquely themed resorts that also feel just like “home”. And, there is nothing better when you walk in to your resort and a cast member says, “welcome home”!